FREEDOM OF INFORMATION

GUIDE

 

Posted in accordance with 5 ILCS 140/4.

ABOUT THE WYOMING PUBLIC LIBRARY (PUBLIC BODY)

 

The WYOMING Public Library District(also known as WYPLD) serves a community of over 2,500 residents, as well as reciprocal borrowers from the RSA Library system, along with any and all visitors who pass through the Library’s doors. Our motto is, “Everyone is welcome.”

 

The WYOMING Public Library is a district library established under the Illinois Local Library Act, 75 ILCS 5, with an elected 7-member Board of Trustees.

 

We are required to report to and be answerable to: Illinois State Library, Springfield, Illinois. Its members are: State Librarian Alexi Giannoulias, Director of the State Library, and various other staff.

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OUR MISSION

The WYOMING Public Library will maintain and share a collection that meets the needs of our diverse community, and will provide programs that educate, empower, and entertain our public.

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GENERAL FUND OPERATING BUDGET

The fiscal year budget for FY2026 is $121,515. Budget documents, the most current Budget and Appropriation Resolution and Levy Resolution are available in person at the Library’s administration office.

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WYOMING PUBLIC LIBRARY OFFICE

The administration office of the WYOMING Public Library is at the following address: 119 N Seventh Street, WYOMING, IL 61491. The Library only has one building.

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WYOMING PUBLIC LIBRARY STAFF

The library employs 5 part time employees.

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WYOMING PUBLIC LIBRARY TRUSTEES

WYPLD is governed by an elected, unpaid, seven-member Board of Library Trustees. Current Board Members are:

President: Theresa Strode theresastrode2@gmail.com

Treasurer: Suz Howard fredsuz@hotmail.com

Secretary: Maureen Nusz tmonusz@gmail.com

Trustee: Julie Shafer jshafer9@yahoo.com

Trustee: Marsha Goodwin goodwing61491@gmail.com

Trustee: Karen Tracy ktracy922@hotmail.com

Trustee: Deann Rewerts drewerts@stark100.com

 

Open business meetings are held on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:30 PM. Meetings take place in the basement of the WYOMING Public Library.

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FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT

The WYOMING Public Library adheres to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 ILCS 140/1 et. Seq., which is the principal Illinois statute governing the inspection of public records. The Act requires that public bodies make available for inspection or copying all public records to any person.

 

 

WYOMING PUBLIC LIBRARY FOIA OFFICER

Library Director: Mary Meaker mmeaker@wyomingpubliclibrary.com

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FILING A FOIA REQUEST

A request for records must be made in writing and can be submitted to the attention of the FOIA officer in the following ways:

 

Mail:

Attn: FOIA Officer

119 N Seventh St.

WYOMING, IL 61491

 

Email​

Personal delivery

During regular business hours of the WYOMING Public Library

 

 

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT REQUEST FEES

Digital copies shareable via electronic means are provided free of charge.

 

The charge for copies of the records will be as follows:

1. First 50 pages black and white, letter size: Free

2. 10 cents per page for black and white, letter size, after 50 pages

3. 50 cents per page for color or oversized copies or electronic media

4. Reproduction saved to other media: actual cost of the recording media (flash drive, etc.) to which the information will be saved

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RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR RECORDS

Responses to commercial requests can be expected within 21 business days of the receipt of a written request. If an extension is required, a FOIA officer from the library will reach out to the requestor.

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RESPONSES TO REQUESTS FOR RECORDS

Responses to commercial requests can be expected within 21 business days of the receipt of a written request. If an extension is required, a FOIA officer from the library will reach out to the requestor.

 

Responses for non-commercial requests can be expected within 5 business days of the receipt of a written request.  If an extension is required, a FOIA officer from the library will reach out to the requestor.

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PROCEDURE FOR APPEALING A DENIAL

If your request for information is denied, or denied in part, you have the right to have your request reviewed by the Public Access Counselor (PAC) at the Office of the Illinois Attorney General.  5 ILCS 140/9.5(a).  You can file your Request for Review with the PAC by writing to: 

 

Public Access Counselor

Office of the Illinois Attorney General

500 South 2nd Street

Springfield, IL 62701

public.access@ilag.gov

877-299-3642

 

You also have the right to seek judicial review of your denial by filing a lawsuit in the State circuit court.  5 ILCS 140/11.   If you choose to file a Request for Review with the PAC, you must do so within 60 calendar days of the date of the denial letter.  5 ILCS 140/9.5(a).  Please note that you must include a copy of your original FOIA request and the denial letter when filing a Request for Review with the PAC.

 

 

RECORDS AVAILABLE UPON REQUEST

Records

Meeting Minutes

Meeting Agendas

Salary and Benefit Information (Public Act 97-0609)

Vendor Information

Budget and Appropriations

Levy

Library policies

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WYOMING PUBLIC LIBRARY’S RECORD RETENTION SCHEDULE

WYPLD adheres to the guidance set out by the Local Records Commission through the state of Illinois for retaining records of business. Our requirements are as follows:

 

Records-Time Frame

Applications to Dispose of Records-Retain permanently

Accounts Payable Invoices and Vouchers-Retain for 7 years

Bank Statements, Deposits, Reconciliations-Retain for 7 years

Budget Reports-Retain for 7 years

Cancelled checks-Retain for 7 years

FOIA Requests and Denials-Retain for 10 years

Grant Records-Retain for 3 years after completion

Insurance Policies-Retain for 7 years after cancellation

Minutes-Retain permanently

Patron Registration-Retain 1 year following expiration

Payroll Reports and Records-Retain 7 years

Personnel Files60 years or until employee’s 78th birthday

State and Federal Withholding Tax Records, w-4s -until superseded or for 5 years after termination

All other records 7 years